Keenan says COC reunion has been ‘head trip’

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By ( Metal Hammer ) published

Pepper says playing recent live dates has proved that their older material stands the test of time

Pepper Keenan says playing live with Corrosion Of Conformity again has been a “head trip” and proves they’re still on top of their game.

Until this year, he hadn’t been onstage with the band since 2006. They’re now planning a studio return for their first material with Keenan on vocal duties since 2005’s In The Arms Of God.

He tells Full Metal Jackie: “The strangest thing about it to me is that I haven’t touched some of these songs in 20 years.

“I never thought I’d be that guy going backwards, but the songs stand the test of time and work really well. It’s been a head trip going backwards like that and having so many people come out and trip out on it.”

Keenan says he and his bandmates were delighted to receive positive feedback while they were recently on the road with Clutch and Mastodon in the US.

He adds: “People would come up and say, ‘Man, I’ve never heard you guys before,’ and they were just blown away which is great, because we haven’t even done a new record yet. That was the craziest part about it.”

Earlier this year, COC guitarist Woody Weatherman said they hoped to lay down tracks for a new album as soon as their live commitments were complete.

Pepper Keenan hails COC fans for reunion calls

Scott Munro
Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.